Juniors’ joy at All Schools
JUNIOR track and field stars Jemima Montag and Elizabeth Baral both finished on the podium in their respective events at the recent 2012 Australian All Schools Championships in Hobart.
JUNIOR track and field stars Jemima Montag and Elizabeth Baral both finished on the podium in their respective events at the recent 2012 Australian All Schools Championships in Hobart.
“Both want to go a long way in their sport,” Maccabiah track and field team manager Len Bogatin told The AJN.
“So these types of events are a really good stepping stone in getting them there.”
Montag, who is 14 years old, set another Victorian record in her second-place finish in the under-16 3000-metre walk.
The state champion finished in 13:38:63, which is 20 seconds faster than her previous personal best (PB), and becomes the quickest Victorian time for the specific event and age group.
“She’s a multi-talented athlete,” Bogatin said.
“The good thing about her walking performances is that she has been running more to qualify for Israel, which means she’s taken the foot off the pedal in regards to walking training, but she’s still doing PBs by some significant margin.”
Fourteen-year-old Baral, from NSW, came second in the under-16 pole-vault event, recording a jump of 3.10m, 70cm shy of first place, but 15cm enough for the silver medal.
“She jumped 3.25m recently,” Bogatin said.
“So she’s in form to jump 3.30m and she’s very enthusiastic, looking forward to more competitions and enjoying it.”
Both girls are in the hunt for selection in Australia’s track and field team for next year’s Maccabiah Games in Israel, and Bogatin said they could be key assets alongside some of the other athletes.
Ashley Shenker
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